The decision to home school By Georgia WilsonTwo mothers from seperate families who chose home schooling for their children discuss their experience outside the formal school system and the reasons why they stuck with the model.

In the last decade, the number of South Australian children home educated rose by almost 70 per cent. Last year, 859 students from 457 families were home schooled.

Two of the mothers of those families joined us in the studio on Mornings to discuss homeschooling further – Charlene Bachmann, joined by home schooled daughter Elly, and Vernice Roberts.

The article was well rounded and included a portion on the non-issue in most homeschooling lives too

The social engagement of home schooled students

According to Ms Roberts, the social aspect of homeschool life is a topic she regularly gets questioned on.

“That would probably be the most common question I’ve got by people that have not met us before in the community.”

“I’m never quite sure what they’re asking, are we in the community? Are we involved? Can they talk to people? Are they able to function as a normal human being in the community? Absolutely.”

Both Ms Roberts and Ms Bachmann said their children had “lots of friends” of all ages, including formal school going friends and others who are also home schooled.